Alpine Hairy Cicada

Appearance

A dark brown cicada with a fore wing length of 35–43 mm.; prominent close set eyes; prominent pronotum.
Central and lateral patches of pale orange-cream were seen running down the pronotum.
Basal part of the wings also showed pale patches.
Besides these features, the pronotum appeared to be "hairy" hence the common name.

Naming

Synonyms:
Tettigarcta ciliata Singh-Pruthi, 1925
Tettigarcta criniti Kato, 1930

Distribution

A montane and alpine distribution from the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, south and west to the Otway Range in Victoria. Adults may be present from January through to May

Notable localities: Kanangra Wall, Brindabella, Yarrangobilly, Otway National Park.

Behavior

Males communicate using vibration through the substrate rather than producing an airborne song. Adults are nocturnally active, hiding in crevices and under loose bark during the day.

Habitat

Subalpine and cool temperate eucalypt forest and woodland; edges of temperate rainforest.